Sailing Solar-Cell Raft Project and Weather and Marine Conditions in Low-Latitude Pacific Ocean
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 139, Issue 1
Abstract
Development of a huge wind-sailing solar cell raft (SCR) with dimensions of is proposed, which can generate electricity comparable to a 1,000-MW nuclear power plant in low-latitude Pacific Ocean. Solar energy of or more is targeted because the SCR navigates in fine weather using weather satellites. The generated electricity will be transported by battery tankers loaded with a tremendous number of high-energy-density batteries. Studies based on available data indicate that there are vast open seas in the tropical Pacific Ocean, where the maximum solar energy attains annually on average and conditions of winds, waves, and sea currents are favorable for the solar energy system to operate. Three major technologies for breakthrough to realize this system are discussed from their future perspectives.
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Acknowledgments
Chairman M. Kanegawa, Secretary T. Hayashi, and many others in the Members Association of Registered Engineers in Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan are gratefully appreciated for their encouragement and help in doing preliminary activities toward the project.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 139 • Issue 1 • March 2013
Pages: 2 - 7
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Dec 14, 2011
Accepted: Jun 5, 2012
Published online: Feb 15, 2013
Published in print: Mar 1, 2013
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